Check out the latest edition of the newsletter from The South East Cyber Resilience Centre.

Are you a runner looking for your next challenge? Fancy supporting an amazing local charity?

Guild Care is looking for 10 willing runners to join our team and take part in the London Landmarks Half Marathon on the 7th April 2024. 

The London Landmarks Half Marathon is a closed road, Central London run and is the only half marathon to pass through both the City of London and City of Westminster. Passing attractions such as Big Ben, St Paul's Cathedral and The Tower of London, this is a race you really will never forget! The event is not your average half marathon! From cultural landmarks and heritage to the city's quirky and hidden secrets, runners get to explore the capital on a route like no other!

This is a great opportunity to try something new, have a lot of fun and raise some vital funds for a local charity.

Get in touch today and book your place! fundraising@guildcare.org

West Sussex Fire & Rescue Service’s offer FREE Q&A for new Fire Safety Legislation

On 1 October 2023, changes to fire safety legislation will commence which may affect you.

If you are the responsible person for a small business, a small block of flats or a holiday let, you may have previously been exempt from the requirement to have a written fire risk assessment.

But from 1 October 2023, you will need to have a full, written record of your fire risk assessment regardless of the size or use of your building.

You can find out more on our website. We will also be holding two free online Q&A sessions. Please use the links below to book a place:

Monday 18 September, 1pm – 1.30pm

Wednesday 20 September 5.15pm - 5.45pm

Carpenter Box Announce New Horizons for Sarah and Jack!

From animals to admin, agency to audit – two trainees at Sussex-based Carpenter Box have found that a career change can make all the difference when it comes to rewards and work-life balance.

Sarah Miller, from Worthing, and Jack Gamon, from Haywards Heath, had both been looking for a change in direction.

Sarah gained a degree in Animal Behaviour and Welfare in 2017 and worked at Plumpton College as a lecturer in animal care before becoming a Teaching Assistant at a junior school.

“Working in education was a natural progression for me because I’d always interacted well with people,” said Sarah, “but I was keen to try something new…something that would offer improved benefits and a better work/life balance.”

A former education colleague who’d already made the switch suggested she contact accountancy and advisory firm Carpenter Box.  A successful application saw Sarah start as an Administrator before transitioning to a Tax Trainee. Now, she’s aiming to complete the Association of Taxation Technicians qualification next year.

“I love the flexible working patterns and the supportive environment, and I hope to progress to the position of Tax Manager in the future.”

Jack took a year out after ‘A’ levels and worked at a Crawley estate agency. However, he’d always had a passion for finance and business and was recommended to contact Carpenter Box by a relative who’d been a client of the firm for more than 20 years.

“I knew straight away this was what I wanted to do, and I was really pleased when I was taken on by the audit team,” said Jack. “The Carpenter Box apprenticeship scheme meant I was able to earn and learn while studying for the Association of Chartered Certified Accountants qualification. Now, I’ve been promoted to Audit Senior, looking after a variety of clients.”

Alan Edwards, Managing Partner at Carpenter Box, commented: “We are always keen to recruit new talent from a variety of backgrounds to widen the skill and experience base across the firm. Sarah and Jack are just two among many positive examples at Carpenter Box of how a career change can be good for individuals, our business and our clients.”

www.carpenterbox.com

Blue Billboard are offering 50% Discount!

"Our end of summer offer is live. From today until the 8th September you can get up to 50% off our digital advertising screens across Worthing, even our premium town centre sites! Boosting your advertising budget even further" 

Carpenter Box rises to the challenge for Centenary Celebrations

Leading Sussex and South East financial services firm, Carpenter Box, is on target to raise more than £50,000 for local charities in its 100^th anniversary year – thanks to the enterprise and efforts of its people.  

From lobbing sponges at Partners, games nights and sponsored walks to dress-to-impress and comedy events, the firm’s staff have been pitching in to raise funds for local good causes.

It was in March that the Carpenter Box Charitable Foundation (CBCF) set itself a target of raising £50,000 and asked staff working groups to organise monthly fundraisers. June, for example, saw the LGBTQIA+ group arrange a staff speaking event and a ‘Gaymes Day’. July featured an inter-office adventure event involving staff from the firm’s offices in Worthing, Brighton, Chichester, Crawley and London.

To date more than £30,000 has been raised – but with more activities in planning, including a special 100 year celebration Charity Ball in Worthing in October – the aim is to exceed the target.

Among the charities supported by the CBCF is Worthing-based Red Balloon, which helps young people who are self-excluding from education for a variety of reasons, including bullying, anxiety and trauma. It provides an alternative to school, helping students to re-engage with education and build their confidence and self-esteem through social and wellbeing activities.

Nick Munday, a Trustee of Red Balloon, is very appreciative of the support the charity has received: “The donations provided by Carpenter Box have enabled us to purchase a laptop charging station for 20 of our laptops and replace worn out carpeting at our premises in Worthing. Carpenter Box has also donated good quality furniture for our reception area following a refurbishment at their offices. In addition, a group of their staff have volunteered two days painting and gardening at the charity. 

“Their engagement is very much appreciated by everyone who works at Red Balloon and helps us support vulnerable children in developing the skills they need to return to education or prepare for work or further training.” 

Since its inception, CBCF has raised over £300,000 to support small, local voluntary and community groups.

www.carpenterbox.com

Ickle Pickles Family Fun Day!

Are you looking for something for you and your children to do over the summer holidays? Join Ickle Pickle for a fun filled day at Hope Hive in Worthing whilst raising money to support the Special Care Baby Unit at Worthing and Chichester Hospitals 

Grow Digital is coming to Worthing on the 26th September!

Welcome to Grow Digital West Sussex

Carefully curated workshops, networking and 121 mentoring to support Your Business on all things digital. Enabling you to fast-track your digital capabilities, connect with experts and receive fully-funded support and mentoring.

• Expert-led Workshops
• Business Support
• 121 Mentoring
• Breakfast, Lunch, Refreshments
• Informal Networking

Come to expand your knowledge and grow your business!

For a full workshop overview, 'meet' the speakers and to book your FREE place click here

Real Patisserie offer mouth-watering corporate menu!

Newly opened in Broadwater, the Worthing branch of Real Patisserie have a tantalising corporate menu that caters for even the most discerning taste buds! 

From Sandwich Platters to Sweet Treats and from Pies & Quiches to Breakfast Pastries. Check out the full menu and prices below!

RP Corporate Menu.pdf

Celebrating the Better Business Show’s 10th anniversary

Shoreham-based yoohoo creative is gearing up for a busy autumn as it joins the 10th birthday celebrations of the Better Business Show in Worthing.

Organised by Worthing & Adur Chamber of Commerce, the show is a major event on the local business calendar and yoohoo’s owner, Clive Spring, has played a pivotal role in its success.

Looking back, the show launched in 2013 as Business Showcase, part of Enterprise Week, aiming to highlight the great and good of the Adur and Worthing business community. Originally held on  Worthing Town Hall’s balcony - with just 20 businesses in attendance - it featured three keynote speakers and a speed networking session. 

Over the years, the show went from strength to strength, moving from the balcony to the committee rooms and then to the Assembly Hall.  

In 2015, the Chamber opted for a rebrand and in 2016 the Better Business Show was officially launched as the newly-branded name for Business Showcase. In Clive’s expert hands, the brand was developed, giving it a fresh and contemporary new look, and it has continued to develop over the years.

Chamber Chief Executive Tracie Davey said: “Fast forward to 2023 and the show is now in its third year at Worthing Leisure Centre is still growing. Last year, we had 100 exhibitors and we are on track for the same this year.

It’s so rewarding to look back at the show’s journey and see how far we have come. Clive has been an integral part in developing the brand and guiding us to where we are now.”

Clive said: “I’ve enjoyed being involved and watching the show consolidate and expand, becoming well known and respected locally. It’s now considered to be the ‘must attend event’ in the business calendar year.”

Moving forward, Tracie added that the Chamber’s aim is for the show to grow and develop year on year.

She said, “Google Digital Garage are joining us this year to run some workshops and provide some 121 sessions. 

South Downs Leisure will also be running challenges on the day to see how much KWh we could generate from cycling and rowing and Mindworks will be hosting a pop up escape room for charity, to name a few.”

For more information about the Chamber visit https://www.worthingandadurchamber.co.uk 

For more information about yoohoo creative, a bespoke website and design agency offering first-class client service and targeted design concepts, visit: https://yoohoocreative.com